Maid or Matron of Honor? Etiquette question

[Cruise]

Thought this would be the perfect place to get some advice on all things marriage.

Things were so much easier when I got married... I have two sisters, one was married and the other wasn't. So I easily labled them Matron and Maid of Honor respectively and went on my merry way.

So now my unmarried sister is getting married and wants to have us both with designation as well. I'm still married, my other sister is now divorced. Would she call my other sister Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor? I'm guessing Matron, even though she not married now, since the traditional meaning of the word "maid" doesn't count here, if ya know what I mean.

What does everyone else think?

 

[hmgolden]

I'm not sure what the official etiquette ruling on the matter is, but if I was your sister, I would label the sister however makes her more comfortable.

My MOH was 25 when DH and I got married. It seemed ridiculous to me to call her a 'matron', in my eyes she just wasn't old enough for that - and she agreed So we called her my maid of honor. No one but my grandmother thought (or at least said) anything of it.

 

[OceanGdss]

I have a Bride-Etiquette book and just read about this the other night. It depends on the age. Under 30 and she can go back to using 'Maid' if she wishes, over 30 and its "proper" to use 'Matron'. It depends on the marriage length really. If a couple divorces after 3-5 years, Maid is ok, 30-40 years, not so much.
HOWEVER...it goes on to say that in true etiquette form, it is UP TO THE PERSON. So if she would like to use 'Maid' or 'Matron', either way is A-OK in the etiquette book!

 

[Cruise]

Thanks, guys

I did some looking on the internet too and it's basically the same thing - do what you like. I don't think there will be too many people there that would say anything either way. I guess I was just more worried because the divorce is fairly recent and was at the request of my sister, not my former brother-in-law.

I'll let them know to just go with whatever makes them most comfortable.

Thanks again!